Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala State Electricity Board has started scouting for contractors competent to be empanelled for design, supply, installation, testing and commissioning of grid-tied rooftop Solar PV power plants.

The board has invited applications from the interested contractors who would be responsible to set up solar power plants for a period of 25 years as part of the board’s plans to improve the solar energy generation capacity of the state by setting up plans worth 150MW in domestic sector.

Interested contractors are advised to submit tender before April 17. The board proposes to set up roof mounted solar PVs with 50MW capacity for the 2020-21 period, along with other plans for solar power generation. Registration of consumers interested in setting up solar units is already on. First 75,000 consumers registering with the board would be eligible for the scheme, for which they would get government subsidy.

As per the guidelines published by ministry of new and renewable energy, 40% subsidy would be available for plans up to 3KW capacity. For every additional unit, up to 10KW, subsidy would be 20% of the total cost. As per the ministry guidelines, the cost per 1KW plant, including operation and maintenance charges, is Rs 54, 000. The Kerala model scheme offers more flexibility to those interested in setting up solar units on their roof tops. As per this scheme, consumers can join the drive by spending only 12 to 25 % of the project cost. KSEB would be in charge of the maintenance of such plants for a period of 25 years. The board has devised various business models for this scheme.